Pipe for a beginner?

matts26 · May 18, 2012

So you guys are all great so far! I've only had one other thread and was greatly helped. Now my question is can anyone recommend me a $30-50 pipe? I have two MM cobs but would already like to expand. Maybe a link that describes in detail different types of pipes because I am totally clueless pretty much!
Thanks again for any and all help.

spartan · May 18, 2012

Here's a link to Smokingpipes.com
Right now I see a $30 H.I.S. estate pipe. Might be worth looking into. But this site is great because of the "Pipe Locator" you can search by a multitude of variables.
http://www.smokingpipes.com
If you can't find what you're looking for there this site has many other sponsors to browse through. GOOD LUCK!

bigvan · May 18, 2012

If you only have $30 to $50 to spend on a pipe right now, my advice is to buy NOTHING. At least not right now. I suggest you keep saving until you have around $100, then get a new, GOOD pipe. A Peterson, Brebbia, Neerup, Johs or any of the good, solid, reputable pipe makers that are out there. I would NOT recommend speculating in estates, at least not now. There's too much garbage out there, too many burn-outs, and it's just too easy to end up with someone else's problems.

portascat · May 18, 2012

Check out Ejames recent post about Doc Grabows for sale. He does a fantastic job of rebuilding them, and they are typically the older adjustomatic versions, which smoke great. His prices are obscenely low, less than a blister pack DG at the drug store new, and you get a bit of nice history with them.
If you don't see one you like in his posts, just keep watching for them, or drop him a line.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/three-older-dr-grabows-for-sale

philip · May 18, 2012

All my favorite pipes cost about $75 - $125. If you can wait, I'd recommend saving a bit more until you can get a better quality pipe that you will be happy smoking for a lot of years. Patience rewards pipe smokers.
Your cobs are just fine for the time being.

nsfisher · May 18, 2012

Cobs are good but you should wait till you get a bit more cash mate.

ohin3 · May 18, 2012

I have to agree with the others. I only wish I had this philosophy down when I started. I ended up with a lot of briars that I didn't want because I was busy getting as many as I could afford rather than saving up and buying what I wanted. Cobs really are a great way to start out. Enjoy your cobs and explore the tobacco world while you are saving for a pipe that you want from a reputable pipe maker. Stanwell and Peterson are both excellent bang for your buck pipes and once in a while you can find something close to your price range in an estate. That being said, If you are looking for an estate Stanwell or Peterson I HIGHLY recommend you buy one from one of our sponsors versus from ebay or someone that you don't know. Let us know how it all works out.

mountainman · May 18, 2012

I agree. Save some cash and get something quality.

matts26 · May 18, 2012

Well you guys know what you are talking about so I will def wait. When I was visiting my mom in Roanoke, Va last week I stopped into Milan Tobacconists and the pipes that were $30-$50 were all thrown into a basket sitting on a bottom shelf so what you say makes sense...

bigvan · May 18, 2012

matts26, I'd be happy to trade you one of my pipes for that sandwich in your avatar. But I'm hungry right now.

ssjones · May 18, 2012

A lot of good, British made pipes go on Ebay for $20 - $30. I'd be happy to help evaluate and even polish one up for you. PM me if you want to go that route.

baronsamedi · May 18, 2012

You can get a new Wellington at pipesandcigars.com for $32 right now and I love mine. I will add, though, if you can manage to save the $100 for a nice Peterson, do it! I have a Peterson 303 shape with a fishtail stem and it is excellent! However many pipes you own from whatever price range, you won't regret getting something nice.

matts26 · May 18, 2012

bigvan thats called the "Homewrecker" from the BBQ Blues Company in downtown Roanoke go help yourself it's one of the best i've ever had!

AL I will keep that in mind and baron I think I might buy another cob right now and wait on buying something till I have a $100 or more.

baronsamedi · May 18, 2012

Also, my first few pipes were all ebay buys and I didn't pay over $20. This included my Meer, a couple of Longchamps, a Ciro, a Kaywoodie from 1955 and a no-name English billiard pipe. I still smoke all of them, but they did require some cleaning and in the case of the Meer, some repair ($3 in parts). If you really want to understand pipes, there's nothing like fixing them up.

portascat · May 18, 2012

Well you guys know what you are talking about so I will def wait. When I was visiting my mom in Roanoke, Va last week I stopped into Milan Tobacconists and the pipes that were $30-$50 were all thrown into a basket sitting on a bottom shelf so what you say makes sense...

don't let these people scare you.
plenty of wonderful pipes out there for under $50.
For under $50, I have picked up:
1937 Kaywoodie that needed very minor and easy repairs to make perfect.
A 1950 era panel Kaywoodie that PawPaw now has that was basically unsmoked.
Numerous Adjustomatic style Doc Grabows that smoke fantastically, as well as a push stem Savoy that is one of my best smokers.
a brand new Mitchel Thomas pipe (which is in reality an Aldo Velani) that looks and smokes lie a $200 pipe.

matts26 · May 18, 2012

Am I allowed to link to ebay auctions?

portascat · May 18, 2012

Am I allowed to link to ebay auctions?

i have before

jameral · May 18, 2012

@matts26 - After eating that sandwich it's not my home that's gonna get wrecked! 8O

judcole · May 19, 2012

Yes,it is possible to get good pipes from ebay. It is also possible to end up with junk - especially if you do not know what you are doing. It's much better to wait to venture into estate pipes until you have some idea of what you are doing.
I would recommend you wait, save your cash, and then drop that $100 on a new pipe by one of the well-established names mentioned in this thread. Stanwell, Peterson, Savenelli - all solid names. (As for H.I.S. - mentioned above - I have a couple I got from a friend who quit smoking. They are nothing to get excited about.)

thesmokindragon · May 19, 2012

Also agree, wait and get a nice hand-made...I purchased a nice Boswell shotshell rusticated for a little under $100, one of my best smokers...they put out new designs every Thursday morning around 10AM...Also Jake Hackert, Mark Balkovec is putting out a The "P3" Pedone Poket Pipe (see image below), also Mark Tinsky pipes (under $200) you can get a nice blast from him, his pipes are also outstanding
Maybe an idea is to snag a few clays as well...also some nice ones out there...
A Markus Fohr Style #9

Balkovec P3

Jake Hackert #14

Mark Tinsky X-Mas 2011 Blast

Boswell ShotShell

or perhaps a custom cob from 'ol SD ;-)

thesmokindragon-5thave-black-and-tan-rogue-waves-600x448.jpg

Pipe for a beginner?

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